In a world where attention spans are shrinking and entertainment is just a swipe away, a new Mumbai-based startup is betting big on the next wave of storytelling-microdramas built for your phone. ReelSaga, founded just last year by serial entrepreneurs Shubh Bansal, Shanu Vivek, and Ritesh Pandey, has already caught the eye of investors, raising $2.1 million in seed funding to fuel its vision of mobile-first, hyper-local entertainment.

From Used Cars to Microdramas: The Founders’ Journey

The ReelSaga story is as much about its founders as it is about the product. Bansal, Vivek, and Pandey previously co-founded Truebil, a used car marketplace that was eventually acquired by Spinny. Their pivot from automobiles to entertainment may seem unlikely, but the thread connecting both ventures is clear: understanding what Indian consumers want and delivering it in a format that fits their lives.

“More and more users are turning to short-form video for entertainment. It’s quick, emotionally resonant, and binge-worthy. Drama doesn’t need to be 40 minutes long to move you,” says Shubh Bansal, co-founder of ReelSaga.”

What Is ReelSaga?

ReelSaga is India’s first dedicated microdrama platform, designed for the mobile-first generation. Imagine a world where stories unfold in episodes just one to two minutes long, with entire arcs stretching across 50–100 episodes. The content is shot vertically, perfectly tailored for smartphones and the way young people consume media today.

The app, now live, promises hundreds of serialized short dramas, each crafted to resonate with local cultures across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East-markets that are expected to collectively surpass $10 billion in digital entertainment by 2025.

The Global Microdrama Boom

Microdramas aren’t just a passing fad. In China, over 5,000 microdrama series are produced annually, generating revenues that have overtaken the traditional box office. ReelSaga aims to bring this global phenomenon to India, focusing on high-quality, hyper-localized storytelling.

“Vertical short dramas are a cultural revolution,” says Bansal. “We’re using data science and product innovations to push the boundaries of short-form video, delivering hyper-personalized, mobile-first storytelling that resonates deeply with our audience,” adds Shanu Vivek.

How Will ReelSaga Make Money?

The startup is taking cues from the gaming industry for its monetization. Users can pay per episode or opt for exclusive passes and flexible subscriptions-weekly, monthly, or annual. The model is designed to capture both casual viewers and ‘whale’ users, a term borrowed from gaming for big spenders.

Who’s Backing ReelSaga?

The $2.1 million seed round was led by Picus Capital, with participation from ITI Growth Opportunities Fund, Nazara Technologies, 8i Ventures, and several other investors. Nazara Technologies, a major player in gaming and digital media, has already picked up a 3.57% stake in the company, signaling strong confidence in the microdrama format’s potential.

Abhijay Thacker, Senior Vice President at Picus Capital, sums up the excitement:

“Microdramas are not just a passing trend; they’re poised to become the default format for an entire generation of mobile viewers. We believe ReelSaga can lead that shift”.

Why Microdramas Matter

At its core, ReelSaga isn’t just about technology or content. It’s about stories that fit into the cracks of our busy lives-on the train, between meetings, or during a quick chai break. It’s about making drama accessible, relatable, and deeply personal for millions who might never have the time to sit through a 40-minute episode.

With their new funding, the founders are doubling down on app development and content production, aiming to build a platform that not only entertains but also connects with audiences on an emotional level, one minute at a time.

The microdrama revolution is here-and ReelSaga wants to be the storyteller in your pocket.

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